The purpose of the study reported on in this paper was to design and test an intervention with elementary-aged children to promote social and emotional learning around technology. The intervention structured learning around technology as a catalyst and scaffolding tool that engages learners in cross-cultural, collaborative interaction, dialogue, problem-solving, decision-making and reflection in a face-to-face context. Participants were five Thai and 18 Cambodian learners in a Thai elementary classroom. Data collection involved self-report use of the "Thai Emotional Intelligence Screening Test" (TEIST) before and after 8 weeks of an intervention consisting of learners' collaborative and interactive use of online, animated stories, discussion forum, mind maps and learning journal. Results are presented as pre-post for the whole group, for Thai vs. Cambodian, and for males versus females. Whole group (N = 23) T-values for the subcategory of Emotional self-control were significantly different at p < 0.05 from the pre- and post-TEIST (t = 2.712). Comparisons of pre- and post-TEIST between Thai and Cambodian learners revealed no significant difference. Comparisons between males and females evidenced a significant difference at p < 0.01 for the post-TEIST (t = 3.886, 3.092 respectively), showing increased Empathy and Responsibility among participating females. The paper concludes with an expanded model of social and emotional learning around technology.
"This volume focuses on social and emotional learning (SEL) from a variety of perspectives. The goal of the volume is to offer a clear framing of SEL in relation to other related OST concepts and initiatives. SEL has gained popularity as a concept in recent years and there remains confusion as well as great interest in the meaning and implementation of SEL in out-of-school-time (OST). Policymakers, researchers, and practitioners are pursuing work related to SEL in OST and this volume offes an opportunity to share that work by: - Defining and explaining SEL in a variety of out of school contexts and highlighting opportunities for integration and alignment with other fields (e.g., formal education) - Clarifying the language and framework confusion and honoring the field's foundation in thinking about social and emotional development through high quality youth development practice - Sharing information about current trends and new developments and how that work is shaping the field across the developmental continuum - Making the research to practice connection by including in each chapter foundational research on the topic, evidence of effective efforts, and practical implications - Offering recommendations for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers related to SEL in OST settings"--
"This volume focuses on social and emotional learning (SEL) from a variety of perspectives. The goal of the volume is to offer a clear framing of SEL in relation to other related out-of-school time concepts and initiatives. SEL has gained popularity as a concept in recent years and there remains confusion as well as great interest in the meaning and implementation of SEL in OST."--Publisher's website
"This volume focuses on social and emotional learning (SEL) from a variety of perspectives. The goal of the volume is to offer a clear framing of SEL in relation to other related OST concepts and initiatives. SEL has gained popularity as a concept in recent years and there remains confusion as well as great interest in the meaning and implementation of SEL in out-of-school-time (OST). Policymakers, researchers, and practitioners are pursuing work related to SEL in OST and this volume offes an opportunity to share that work by: - Defining and explaining SEL in a variety of out of school contexts and highlighting opportunities for integration and alignment with other fields (e.g., formal education) - Clarifying the language and framework confusion and honoring the field's foundation in thinking about social and emotional development through high quality youth development practice - Sharing information about current trends and new developments and how that work is shaping the field across the developmental continuum - Making the research to practice connection by including in each chapter foundational research on the topic, evidence of effective efforts, and practical implications - Offering recommendations for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers related to SEL in OST settings"--
Listen to Leader of Learning episodes free, on demand. Episode 44In the third episode in a three-part mini series on Social Emotional Learning, I interviewed Elizabeth Merce (@EMercedLearning), a kindergarten teacher and adjunct professor, about student discipline as it relates to social emotional learning. We discussed ways schools and teachers can change their approach to student discipline.
For more information about this episode or to catch up on past episodes of the Leader Of Learning podcast, visit https://www.leaderoflearning.com.
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Blog/Website: http://www.emercedlearning.com/
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Email - dan@leaderoflearning.com. The easiest way to listen to podcasts on your iPhone, iPad, Android, PC, smart speaker – and even in your car. For free. Bonus and ad-free content available with Stitcher Premium.
OBJECTIVE: Does spending money on others (prosocial spending) improve the cardiovascular health of community-dwelling older adults diagnosed with high blood pressure?METHOD: In Study 1, 186 older adults diagnosed with high blood pressure participating in the Midlife in the U.S. Study (MIDUS) were examined. In Study 2, 73 older adults diagnosed with high blood pressure were assigned to spend money on others or to spend money on themselves.
RESULTS: In Study 1, the more money people spent on others, the lower their blood pressure was 2 years later. In Study 2, participants who were assigned to spend money on others for 3 consecutive weeks subsequently exhibited lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to participants assigned to spend money on themselves. The magnitude of these effects was comparable to the effects of interventions such as antihypertensive medication or exercise.
CONCLUSIONS: Together, these findings suggest that spending money on others shapes cardiovascular health, thereby providing a pathway by which prosocial behavior improves physical health among at-risk older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record
Although much research has examined the effect of income on happiness, we suggest that how people spend their money may be at least as important as how much money they earn. Specifically, we hypothesized that spending money on other people may have a more positive impact on happiness than spending money on oneself. Providing converging evidence for this hypothesis, we found that spending more of one's income on others predicted greater happiness both cross-sectionally (in a nationally representative survey study) and longitudinally (in a field study of windfall spending). Finally, participants who were randomly assigned to spend money on others experienced greater happiness than those assigned to spend money on themselves.A survey, a study of windfall spending, and a lab experiment all indicate that spending money on others results in more happiness than does spending money on oneself.
A survey, a study of windfall spending, and a lab experiment all indicate that spending money on others results in more happiness than does spending money on oneself.
While religious belief and environmental practice can be at odds with each other in a reductionist paradigm, both are aligned in service of environmental conservation in the Himalayan nation of Bhutan. Government documents assert that the nation’s unique sacred cosmology, a blend of Animism, Bön, and Vajrayana Buddhism, has protected Bhutan’s natural environment, allowing about two-thirds of the nation to remain under forest cover. The widespread belief in spirits and deities who inhabit the land shapes the ways that resource-dependent communities conceptualize and interact with the land. Local beliefs reveal a deep aflnity for and care of the landscape. In this way, local beliefs support the modernist goals of environmental conservation, while arising from a decidedly different ontology. The Bhutanese case highlights the potentials for both convergence and conmict inherent in the precarious intersections of traditional ecological knowledge and scientilc epistemologies of the environment
<p>Keeping students involved, motivated, and actively learning is challenging educators across the country, yet good advice on how to accomplish this has not been readily available. 'Student Engagement Techniques' is a comprehensive resource that offers college teachers a dynamic model for engaging students and includes over one hundred tips, strategies, and techniques that have been proven to help teachers from a wide variety of disciplines and institutions motivate and connect with their students. The ready-to-use format shows how to apply each of the book's techniques in the classroom and includes purpose, preparation, procedures, examples, online implementation, variations and extiensions, observations and advice, and key resources.</p>
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This systematic review examines the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of adults enrolled in US-based randomized controlled trials of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). We conducted a literature search using Medline, PsycINFO, and CINAHL electronic databases from the earliest available until March 2017. We found 69 randomized controlled trials that met inclusion criteria. Only one study specifically aimed to test the mindfulness interventions in racial/ethnic minority or lower socio-economic status populations and none reported their effectiveness in these populations. For the 56 articles that reported the proportion of Caucasians in their samples, 79% of all individuals were identified as Caucasian. Out of the 45 studies that reported data on other races and ethnicities, 76% of the individuals were Caucasian, 11% were African-American, 4% were Asian-American, 4% were Hispanic/Latinx, < 1% were American Indian/Native American, and 5% were reported as “other” or multi-ethnic. The three most commonly reported socio-economic characteristics were educational attainment (n = 48), employment/professional status (n = 29), and income (n = 27). The proportion of college graduates in the study samples was higher than the national average in all but one of the studies that reported this data. Most of the studies that reported employment rates had more than half of their participants employed. Of the studies that reported average income, most had more than 50% of their participants making over $40,000 a year. This review highlights the need for increased diversity in randomized controlled trials of mindfulness-based interventions as these interventions have great promise to alleviate mental and physical health problems in underserved populations.
There is extensive research on the importance of the development of students social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies (Kress & Elias, 2013; Taylor & Larson, 1999). Research suggests that, a primary responsibility of middle schools is to address the developmental needs of adolescents, who are experiencing a major transition as they move between elementary school and high school. In order for maximum intellectual growth to take place, social-emotional, as well as physical growth must be incorporated into the plan (Dickinson, 2001). ^ The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of educators beliefs about the development of social-emotional skills being a component of their instruction. Further, the study sought to examine educators confidence in modeling the skills and providing SEL opportunities for their students. A mixed methods sequential explanatory strategy was used to examine data from teachers (N=47) in one rural middle school in a recently regionalized school district. ^ Quantitative analysis revealed significant difference between content area teachers familiarity with SEL, with special educators being higher than math and science teachers (p=.001). A trend was also found that indicated special educators understand and endorse SEL more than math, science, and unified arts teachers (p=.009). No significant differences were found with the demographics. Qualitative findings pointed to the need for training and professional development so teachers may become more skilled at providing SEL opportunities to students, and more efficacious in modeling social-emotional competencies. Additionally, relevant professional development may assist teachers in overcoming obstacles identified in qualitative data. ^ Moving further into the 21st century, it is essential that educators provide students with all the skills they will need to be successful in college and career, as well as within society. These skills include, but are not limited to the abilities t
In The Teaching Self: Contemplative Practices, Pedagogy, and Research in Education, a rich collection of voices from diverse settings illustrates the ways in which first-person experiences with contemplative practices lay a foundation for contemplative pedagogy and research in teacher education. Contemplative practice depends on cultivating an understanding of oneself, as well as one’s relationship and interdependence of others and the world, and it is this precept that guides the focus of these portraits of practice. The teaching self of the scholar benefits from reflective and authentic engagement and a commitment to equity and ethical action. Several authors examine the direct and indirect influence contemplative practices have on their students as future educators. All of the authors in this book share first-hand experiences with contemplative practices that honor, support, and deepen awareness of the teaching self by exploring the journey of identifying as a contemplative educator.
This anthology explores often overlooked periods in medicine from medieval to early modern times, taking as a principal theme the need to return to familiar texts and sources for new interpretations. In twelve essays written by a diverse group of scholars, the collection covers topics such as medical politics, herbal remedies and nationalism, the role of experience in casebook writing, the use of medical allusions in literature and popular culture, and the changing impact of various book editions on surgery, embryology, and lay medical knowledge. Contributors include: William Birken, Jocelyn Emerson, Elizabeth Lane Furdell, Frances Garrett, Florence Eliza Glaze, Ann A. Huse, Brian Nance, Kaara L. Peterson, Todd H.J. Pettigrew, Rachel Poliquin, Anne Van Arsdall, and Lilla Vekerdy.
The concept of ‘ecological self’, as expounded and applied by members of a social movement called ‘deep ecology’, is carefully examined and compared with self-concepts constructed by academic psychologists. Constructionist theories and research are explored as an area of particular relevance because they (a) exemplify a more ecological, or systems, view of the person, (b) offer an understanding of how an expanded self-concept might affect the functioning of an individual and his or her surrounding environment, and (c) suggest how self-constructs might be changed. Self-construct change is discussed with reference to an empirical evaluation of ‘deep ecology’ experiential workshops called The Council of All Beings. This paper has a dual aim. First, the ‘indigenous psychology’ implicit in deep ecology may provide fertile ground for the development of more academic theories. Second, due to the collaborative nature of this research, deep ecologists may benefit from the kind of conceptualization and analysis provided by academic psychology. Both effects could further a central and shared aim of both environmental psychologists and deep ecologists: to encourage environmentally responsible attitudes and behaviour.
<p>This study is an open clinical trial that examined the feasibility and acceptability of a mindfulness training program for anxious children. We based this pilot initiative on a cognitively oriented model, which suggests that, since impaired attention is a core symptom of anxiety, enhancing self-management of attention should effect reductions in anxiety. Mindfulness practices are essentially attention enhancing techniques that have shown promise as clinical treatments for adult anxiety and depression (Baer, 2003). However, little research explores the potential benefits of mindfulness to treat anxious children. The present study provided preliminary support for our model of treating childhood anxiety with mindfulness. A 6-week trial was conducted with five anxious children aged 7 to 8 years old. The results of this study suggest that mindfulness can be taught to children and holds promise as an intervention for anxiety symptoms. Results suggest that clinical improvements may be related to initial levels of attention.</p>
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Modern lifestyles disconnect people from nature, and this may have adverse consequences for the well-being of both humans and the environment. In two experiments, we found that although outdoor walks in nearby nature made participants much happier than indoor walks did, participants made affective forecasting errors, such that they systematically underestimated nature’s hedonic benefit. The pleasant moods experienced on outdoor nature walks facilitated a subjective sense of connection with nature, a construct strongly linked with concern for the environment and environmentally sustainable behavior. To the extent that affective forecasts determine choices, our findings suggest that people fail to maximize their time in nearby nature and thus miss opportunities to increase their happiness and relatedness to nature. Our findings suggest a happy path to sustainability, whereby contact with nature fosters individual happiness and environmentally responsible behavior.
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- Practices Specific to Tibetan Buddhism,
- Literature Specific to Tibetan Buddhism,
- Contemplation by Tradition,
- Vajrayogini,
- Means of Accomplishment (sadana, druptap),
- Literature of Buddhist Contemplation,
- Practices of Buddhist Contemplation,
- Generation phase (utpattikrama, kyerim),
- Deity yoga (devata-yoga, lhé nenjor),
- Buddhist Contemplation
Part of the six-volume Wellbeing: A Complete Reference Guide, this volume examines the ways in which the built environment can affect and enhance the wellbeing of society. Explores the effects of environment on wellbeing and provides insight and guidance for designing, creating, or providing environments that improve wellbeing Looks at the social and health issues surrounding sustainable energy and sustainable communities, and how those connect to concepts of wellbeing Brings the evidence base for environmental wellbeing into one volume from across disciplines including urban planning, psychology, sociology, healthcare, architecture, and more Part of the six-volume set Wellbeing: A Complete Reference Guide, which brings together leading research on wellbeing from across the social sciences
Introduction: Cancer patients often choose complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in palliative care, often in addition to conventional treatment and without medical advice or approval. Herbal medicines (HM) are the most commonly used type of CAM, but rarely available on an in-patient basis for palliative care. The motivations which lead very ill patients to travel far to receive such therapies are not clear. A qualitative study was therefore carried out to investigate influences on choosing to attend a CAM herbal hospice, to identify cancer patients' main concerns about end-of-life care. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 32 patients were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. Patients were recruited from Arokhayasala, a Buddhist cancer hospice in Thailand which provides CAM, in the form of HM, a restricted diet, Thai yoga, deep-breathing exercises, meditation, chanting, Dhamma, laughter and music therapy, free-of-charge. Results: The main factors influencing decision-making were a positive attitude towards HMs and previous use of them, dissatisfaction with conventional treatment, the home environment and their relationships with hospital doctors. Conclusion: Patients' own perceptions and experiences were more important in making the decision to use CAM, and especially HM, in palliative cancer care than referral by healthcare professionals or scientific evidence of efficacy. Patients were prepared to travel far and live away from home to receive such care, especially as it was cost-free. In view of patients' previously stated satisfaction with the regime at the Arokhayasala, these findings may be relevant to the provision of in-patient cancer palliative care to other patients. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Substance use and abuse continues to plague U.S. college campuses. The literature is replete with information from various disciplines on how to identify and intervene in this public health dilemma impacting college students. Identifications, treatments, and interventions are often based on Western medicine, but there is a growing movement and evidence supporting the effectiveness, value, and usefulness of Eastern therapies to combat this problem. Yoga is one Eastern intervention that has proven beneficial for promoting quality of life and wellness relationship to several acute and chronic illnesses. As a result of advocating for the inclusion of yoga in traditional college settings, two college campuses in Central Illinois introduced yoga courses for students, faculty, and staff. The courses are reviewed, and the positive results reported by students are shared. The information and evidence of yoga's benefits collected in this study warrant consideration by college campuses to initiate this practice enhancing primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in their populations.
The use of Yoga and other complementary healthcare interventions for both clinical and non-clinical populations has increased substantially in recent years. In this context, we describe the implementation of Hatha Yoga in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program of Kabat-Zinn and colleagues. This is embedded in a more general consideration of Yoga’s place in complementary healthcare. In providing this overview, we comment on the nature and quality of current research on Yoga, summarize current physiological and psychological explanations of its effects, and discuss practical issues related to teacher training and experience.
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BACKGROUND: Although yoga and meditation have been used for stress reduction with reported improvement in inflammation, little is known about the biological mechanisms mediating such effects. The present study examined if a yogic meditation might alter the activity of inflammatory and antiviral transcription control pathways that shape immune cell gene expression.
METHODS: Forty-five family dementia caregivers were randomized to either Kirtan Kriya Meditation (KKM) or Relaxing Music (RM) listening for 12 min daily for 8 weeks and 39 caregivers completed the study. Genome-wide transcriptional profiles were collected from peripheral blood leukocytes sampled at baseline and 8-week follow-up. Promoter-based bioinformatics analyses tested the hypothesis that observed transcriptional alterations were structured by reduced activity of the pro-inflammatory nuclear factor (NF)-κB family of transcription factors and increased activity of Interferon Response Factors (IRFs; i.e., reversal of patterns previously linked to stress).
RESULTS: In response to KKM treatment, 68 genes were found to be differentially expressed (19 up-regulated, 49 down-regulated) after adjusting for potentially confounded differences in sex, illness burden, and BMI. Up-regulated genes included immunoglobulin-related transcripts. Down-regulated transcripts included pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation-related immediate-early genes. Transcript origin analyses identified plasmacytoid dendritic cells and B lymphocytes as the primary cellular context of these transcriptional alterations (both p<.001). Promoter-based bioinformatic analysis implicated reduced NF-κB signaling and increased activity of IRF1 in structuring those effects (both p<.05).
CONCLUSION: A brief daily yogic meditation intervention may reverse the pattern of increased NF-κB-related transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased IRF1-related transcription of innate antiviral response genes previously observed in healthy individuals confronting a significant life stressor.
Zotero Collections:
BACKGROUND: Although yoga and meditation have been used for stress reduction with reported improvement in inflammation, little is known about the biological mechanisms mediating such effects. The present study examined if a yogic meditation might alter the activity of inflammatory and antiviral transcription control pathways that shape immune cell gene expression.METHODS: Forty-five family dementia caregivers were randomized to either Kirtan Kriya Meditation (KKM) or Relaxing Music (RM) listening for 12 min daily for 8 weeks and 39 caregivers completed the study. Genome-wide transcriptional profiles were collected from peripheral blood leukocytes sampled at baseline and 8-week follow-up. Promoter-based bioinformatics analyses tested the hypothesis that observed transcriptional alterations were structured by reduced activity of the pro-inflammatory nuclear factor (NF)-κB family of transcription factors and increased activity of Interferon Response Factors (IRFs; i.e., reversal of patterns previously linked to stress).
RESULTS: In response to KKM treatment, 68 genes were found to be differentially expressed (19 up-regulated, 49 down-regulated) after adjusting for potentially confounded differences in sex, illness burden, and BMI. Up-regulated genes included immunoglobulin-related transcripts. Down-regulated transcripts included pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation-related immediate-early genes. Transcript origin analyses identified plasmacytoid dendritic cells and B lymphocytes as the primary cellular context of these transcriptional alterations (both p<.001). Promoter-based bioinformatic analysis implicated reduced NF-κB signaling and increased activity of IRF1 in structuring those effects (both p<.05).
CONCLUSION: A brief daily yogic meditation intervention may reverse the pattern of increased NF-κB-related transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased IRF1-related transcription of innate antiviral response genes previously observed in healthy individuals confronting a significant life stressor.
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